Leaving Managua

So...many have probably been wondering where is kari? has she arrived, has she begun to settle into life in Puerto Cabezas (which I will now refer to as Port to save some typing and use the local name of my summer home)? to answer your many questions I have finally arrived! I touched down in managua on the 5th to be swept off into a fariytale land of affluent managuites and government officials. I spent my morning by the pool, took HOT showers, and directed the house staff for my non-spanish speaking friends. by night we entertained all range of officials from the RAAN, the autonomous region of the north atlantic where port is situatited. All this was related to a proposed project of a group called Raya Ka Raya.

The road to port was and remains completely flooded out, a rich track of thick, chocolatey, impassable mud. Wa-wa boom, a riverside town where the bus must board a water carrier is and remains so flooded rendering it impassable. so the only way to arrive was by plane...but since there was no road everyone trying to get to port was lining up to get their ride, leaving cody and i in managua until the 15th. somehow we caught the afternoon flight in a moment of clear skies during this season of pelting rain. since we touched down I have enjoyed the sound of rain on the tin rooves around us and the sloshing sound of tires on mud...that is until this afternoon when the rain finally stopped and it seemed fit to set off to the internet cafe! I imagine that when i step outside the rain will be pitter-patting once again!

So a quick update on the Casa Materna. I went straight away to the Casa to let them know that I was in town. I had previously requested that Cody drop off a letter at the casa ensuring them of my interest in the project and my intention of returning, so when I stepped into the clinic yesterday it was with great fanfare that I was welcomed! Spirits are high as we begin the initial phases of planning for our small fresco business! Today I spent the morning working at the clinic taking blood pressures and checking fetal heart rates with the new doppler. It was loads of fun! I also was able to practice some of my meager Miskito: dis daukisa? how are you feeling? latwa brisma? do you have any pain? bebe kapoliza? is the baby moving? There will be much more to report but the women and nurses are enjoying all of the lovely donations!

Wala auma! (something like come back or see you or something else entriely!)